US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB1543

Introduced
3/10/23  

Caption

To direct the Secretary of Labor to ensure that the database relating to investigations under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is language accessible, and for other purposes.

Impact

The implementation of HB1543 would significantly benefit non-English speaking communities by ensuring that they have access to critical information regarding labor rights and standards. By providing this information in multiple languages, the bill aims to empower these populations, enabling them to better understand their rights and report any labor violations without language barriers. Overall, this legislative change could lead to improved working conditions and greater enforcement of labor standards for all workers in the U.S.

Summary

House Bill 1543 aims to enhance the accessibility of the database related to investigations conducted under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The bill directs the Secretary of Labor to ensure that this database is available in at least eight of the most commonly spoken languages in the United States. This effort is in line with the OPEN Government Data Act, which emphasizes the importance of making government data accessible to a diverse population. The underlying hope is to make information regarding labor standards investigations more comprehensible and accessible to non-English speaking individuals.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB1543 center on the potential costs and logistical challenges associated with translating the database and maintaining accessibility in multiple languages. Some lawmakers and stakeholders may raise concerns about the allocation of resources for this initiative, questioning if the benefits justify the expenditures involved. Additionally, there may be discussions about the adequacy of the languages selected for translation, targeting linguistic diversity and ensuring that the most impacted communities are adequately served.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB893

Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act

US HB8272

To classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act.

US HR988

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2988) to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary factors, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2262) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude certain activities from hours worked, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2270) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude child and dependent care services and payments from the rate used to compute overtime compensation; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2312) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the definition of the term ''tipped employee'', and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) to clarify the treatment of 2 or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

US HB122

Original Living Wage Act This bill increases the federal minimum wage to the minimum hourly wage sufficient for a person working for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, to earn an annual income 25.5% higher than the federal poverty threshold for a four-person household, with two children under age 18, and living in the 48 contiguous states. (Under current poverty thresholds, the national minimum wage would be set at approximately $15.64 per hour.) The Department of Labor must determine the minimum wage rate by June 1, 2023, and review it every four years. Labor may not adjust the minimum wage to a lower rate.

US HB1977

To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study relating to obesity in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

US HB9

To require the Secretary of Defense to ensure drop boxes are maintained on military installations for the deposit of unused prescription drugs, and for other purposes.

US HB3102

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Office of Rural Health, and for other purposes.

US HB5203

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes.

US HB7455

To amend the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to allow certain States to directly purchase commodities, and for other purposes.

US HB26

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act This bill establishes requirements for the degree of care a health care practitioner must provide in the case of a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion. Specifically, a health care practitioner who is present must (1) exercise the same degree of care as would reasonably be provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure the child is immediately admitted to a hospital. Additionally, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with the degree-of-care requirements must immediately report such failure to law enforcement. A health care practitioner who fails to provide the required degree of care, or a health care practitioner or other employee who fails to report such failure, is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. An individual who intentionally kills or attempts to kill a child born alive is subject to prosecution for murder. The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive under this bill and allows her to bring a civil action against a health care practitioner or other employee for violations.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.